Student Athlete of the Week: Luke Alexander, Belmont HS, Baseball

BELMONT, Miss. (WCBI) — He’s number 9 in his class and has his eye on a business degree in college. And he’s one of those rare athletes making the jump from a small school to the SEC.

All that aside, this week’s WCBI Student Athlete is trying to help his team win a state high school baseball title.

Luke Alexander is no stranger to fans and opponents of the Belmont Cardinals. He quarterbacked the football team before taking this year off to avoid injury.

The 6-foot, 180- pounder is a shooting guard in basketball and a standout shortstop and pitcher in baseball. The school has a rich history in women’s basketball, winning another state title in Narch but until last weekend, the school’s never been able to get by archrival Kossuth for a shot at a state baseball crown.

“Words can’t even describe how they would be for us. You know girls basketball is what we’re known for. They’re winning state every year and just for the baseball team to do it would be unreal,” Alexander said of the chance at this week’s state tournament.

Belmont may be just a 3A school, but Alexander is ready for a chance to grow and shine in the SEC.

“I can’t wait just for the competition and just getting down there and the coaches just make me a better ball player and just being around some awesome athletes,” he said.

With a 3.87 GPA in high school, Luke says he’s also ready to tackle a finance degree at Mississippi State. His coaches and teammates say if the last four years are an indication, he can make it happen.

“He’s played shortstop for us for five years. He’s just always been a guy that’s had a lot of production for us. He’s just been really good for us,” said teammate Jon Morgan Payne.

“A very humble young man that has excelled in the classroom and the athletic field. He’s very talented, but he’s worked hard also to get to where he’s at,” said Assistant Coach Reid Gann.

Luke is a homegrown talent. His dad Nick played football and baseball at Belmont while mom Michelle played basketball there.

Belmont defeated Sumrall 5-2 late Wednesday night in game one of their best of 3 series for the state title. The Cardinals go for the championship Friday.